Chapter 757: 756
Ning Shucheng looked at Chu Shiguang, "Seek them out?"
He nodded, "This is indeed a method, but since they left without a single word, taking away most of the elites, and still haven’t returned after so many days without any news, will it be useful for us to see them?"
"We have to try anyway. We need to tell them about the current situation in Divine Continent. Once we fail, it won’t be as easy for them to launch a surprise attack like they did last time," said Chu Shiguang.
"But have you considered that their sudden return might mean that the situation within the Hidden Sect is more severe than we imagined?" Ning Shucheng suddenly remarked.
A weight settled in Chu Shiguang’s heart.
He had thought of this possibility, but had been reluctant to face it. Now that Ning Shucheng directly brought it up, his expression revealed deep concern.
That was what he feared the most.
A few days ago, an incident occurred at Meishan Mountain. It was said that powerful figures from the Hidden Sect had infiltrated and clashed with our people.
And Yang Fei was among those individuals.
This was enough to indicate that not all factions within the Hidden Sect were united. It seemed that part of them were unaware of what Zhuge and the Duanmu aristocratic family were doing in Divine Continent Country, and they might choose to stand with Yang Fei and Qin Yanyang.
With Yang Fei and the other powerful figures from the Hidden Sect returning to the Hidden Sect World, it wasn’t hard for Chu Shiguang to imagine that some conflict must have erupted within.
The strong figures who supported them and who hadn’t come out might be dealing with problems inside the Hidden Sect.
Ning Shucheng had also considered these points, and he said directly, "For those factions in the Hidden Sect, controlling Divine Continent is not deemed a difficult task, so they will prioritize resolving their internal disputes. It won’t be too late for them to come out and stabilize the situation in Divine Continent once the internal threats are dealt with."
"But we can’t afford to wait. If we delay further, the situation will surely spiral out of control," Chu Shiguang said.
Ning Shucheng nodded, "Yes, we can’t afford to delay."
"That’s why I suggest we should meet with them," Chu Shiguang said, looking at Ning Shucheng.
Ning Shucheng fell silent.
Chu Shiguang was startled, "What’s wrong? Do you think my suggestion isn’t right?"
"No, your proposal is good. It’s just that I’m worried it will be pointless. If the factions in the Hidden Sect are already embroiled in internal strife, then they will have no time to care for us. To them, it doesn’t matter whether they control us or someone else to govern Divine Continent in the future. The principle remains the same," Ning Shucheng said.
Now it was Chu Shiguang’s turn to fall silent.
He was also regretful.
The power of the Hidden Sect was too dominant.
Initially, he thought it was a cooperation, but any decision they proposed was worthless. Those strong figures made all the calls, treating them like puppets.
As Ning Shucheng had said, to those people in the Hidden Sect, it didn’t matter who helped them maintain the growth and operation of this country.
"But we can’t just keep dragging this out." Chu Shiguang spoke anxiously, "The Qin family girl is decisive. As long as she finds a small opportunity, she’ll tear open a gap and force us into a corner, step by step."
A sharp glint flashed in Ning Shucheng’s eyes, and after a moment, his face showed frustration as he said slowly, "We are not without the strength to fight back. It’s just unfortunate that after making the decision to evade, our image in the eyes of the mid and lower-tier personnel has collapsed. In just a few days, many departments have nearly lost control. Old Master Qin Huai’an once held positions in all departments, and he left behind an exceedingly broad network."
"Yes," Chu Shiguang sighed helplessly as well, but he quickly revived his spirit and said, "But we haven’t lost yet. The Qin family wouldn’t dare to launch a direct war. In this way, if they want to slowly erode our power, they will need time. If we go to the Hidden Sect for help now, just bringing over some strong figures to preside will stabilize the situation."
Seeing him bring up the matter again, Ning Shucheng nodded, "Alright, we’ll do as you say."
Chu Shiguang nodded, "Shall we go together?"
Ning Shucheng shook his head, "Neither of us is suitable to go in person."
Chu Shiguang thought for a moment and then nodded, "True, if people from the two major war zones don’t see either of us, it will cause great turmoil in the military."
The two discussed for a while, and in the end, decided that someone from the Duanmu Family would go.
After all, the Duanmu aristocratic family had close ties to the other Duanmu aristocratic family.
Ning Shucheng checked the time and said to Chu Shiguang, "I need to go."
Chu Shiguang nodded, "Alright, I’ll go have a talk with Elder Duanmu Han."
Ning Shucheng nodded, "But we can’t let him go personally, with him and Zhang Wenfeng here, many people can be at ease."
Chu Shiguang showed his understanding, opened the car door, and stepped out.
Seeing Chu Shiguang get out of the car, Ning Shucheng’s driver promptly got into the vehicle and, following Ning Shucheng’s instruction, drove off.
Half an hour later, the car left the core area of the war zone base.
After another fifteen minutes of driving, dawn broke, and a hint of daylight appeared in the eastern sky.
Up ahead, a helicopter was parked at the prearranged spot.
Ning Shucheng got out of the car, straightened his military attire, and asked the driver to wait in the car, then he quickly walked toward the helicopter.
As Ning Shucheng approached, the helicopter’s doors were opened, and the two pilots exited voluntarily, moving to the side.
Ning Shucheng boarded the aircraft and closed the door.
Inside the plane, Tang Shuwan was seated in the back row. Glimpsing Ning Shucheng coming in, her eyes flashed with a bewildered look, as her thoughts seemed to travel back many years.
"It’s been a long time," Ning Shucheng said to Tang Shuwan with a complex expression.
Tang Shuwan slowly nodded, "Yes, thirteen years."
"Didn’t expect you to remember so clearly," Ning Shucheng murmured lowly.
Tang Shuwan offered a faint smile and swiftly changed the subject, "Is the Ning Family really intent on splitting Divine Continent?"
Ning Shucheng immediately shook his head, "No, the current situation in Divine Continent is not something anyone wishes to see, and it was unforeseen by us."
"But now we are facing a standoff and division between the north and the south," Tang Shuwan stated.
Ning Shucheng had no reply.
Indeed, whether it was the Ning Family, the Chu Family, the Sun Family, the Duanmu Family, or other forces that supported them, their initial intentions were good; none of them intended for Divine Continent to end up in the current state.
But the reality stood starkly before them, rendering any rebuttal weak and pale.
"I understand you, you would sacrifice everything for this country, so if there’s a chance to reunify this country sooner, you would fully support it, right?" Tang Shuwan looked at Ning Shucheng and posed the question.
Meeting her clear gaze, Ning Shucheng’s heart sharpened.
Those eyes were still so clear, untainted, her heart, as pure as it had been, still holding the promise made in her youth.
And she had done just that.
Spending half her life on the edge of darkness, she protected this country.
Ning Shucheng felt some shame, ashamed to look into those pure eyes that had always maintained their original intent.
He lowered his head, fished out a cigarette and lighter from his pocket, but then seemed to remember something, halted his movement to light up, and just held the cigarette between his lips, saying slowly, "So, are you really here to lobby for the Qin Family?"
Tang Shuwan slowly shook her head, "I’m not here to lobby for any force, I’ve come to meet you on my own behalf. If I must say whom I’m lobbying for, then it’s this country, for the billions of citizens of this country."